African Swift vs Brown-backed Needletail
Apus barbatus comparado com Hirundapus giganteus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Atributo | African Swift | Brown-backed Needletail |
|---|---|---|
| Nome científico | Apus barbatus | Hirundapus giganteus |
| Ordem | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Família | Apodidae | Apodidae |
| Estado de conservação | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Comprimento | — | — |
| Envergadura | 34,2 cm (13.5 in) | 40,6 cm (16.0 in) |
| Peso | 42,666666666666664 g (1.51 oz) | 145,0 g (5.11 oz) |
| Dieta | Completely aerial diet of small flying insects and spiders; never forages on the ground or … | Aerial insectivore feeding on tiny flies, beetles, and ballooning spiders in rapid powerful aerial pursuit. |
| Tamanho da postura | 1-2 | 3-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Swift
Sharp, piercing screech followed by rapid chatter; intense series of notes escalating in speed and volume before fading.
Brown-backed Needletail
Rough, buzzy chatter with intermittent higher squeaks; coarse twittering delivered continuously throughout aerial foraging.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Swift
Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. One of Africa's most common swift species.
Brown-backed Needletail
Found from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Borneo and the Philippines. Resident in lowland and hill forest, soaring over ridges.
Estado de conservação
African Swift
Brown-backed Needletail
How to Tell Them Apart
African Swift
Dark sooty-brown throughout; pale throat patch whitish-grey; underparts slightly paler; broadly similar to Common Swift but slightly larger and marginally paler below; widespread Sub-Saharan African species.
Brown-backed Needletail
Very large; dark brown upperparts with bronze gloss; no pale back saddle unlike congeners; white throat patch; white undertail coverts; short spiny tail; largest Hirundapus; brown rather than black overall …
About These Birds
African Swift
A medium-sized swift (16-17 cm) found across sub-Saharan Africa. Dark sooty-brown plumage, darker than Pallid Swift. Aerial insectivore, foraging high over varied habitats from forests to savannas. Breeds on cliffs and buildings. Resident or partial migrant within Africa.
Brown-backed Needletail
O andorinhão-de-agulha-gigante é o maior andorinhão do mundo, com envergadura de até 58 cm. Habita no sul e sudeste asiático, desde a Índia até às ilhas do Pacífico. Tem asas longas e estreitas, uma garganta castanha escura e uma mancha na rabadilla. Captura insetos e aranhas em voo. Nidifica em fendas de penhascos. Frequentemente observado em grandes altitudes, especialmente sobre as montanhas.